NBA: Knicks bring back Mills, dump Grunwald

NEW YORK CITY – Steve Mills, who spent 10 years as an executive with the New York Knicks, returned to the NBA club on Thursday as president and general manager, replacing Glen Grunwald.

The Knicks announced the switch, saying Grunwald will stay with the organization as an advisor. He joined the Knicks in 2006 after 10 years with the Toronto Raptors and has had various roles with the team.

“I am pleased to be able to welcome Steve back to the Knicks,” said Knicks owner James Dolan.

“He is a well-respected sports executive with a strong background in basketball, as well as a familiarity with NBA operations and our company.

“We look forward to his leadership and believe he is the right person to help us reach our ultimate goal of winning an NBA championship.”

Mills joined the Knicks in 1999 as executive vice president of franchise operations and in 2001 became president of sports teams operations for the MSG ownership group, watching over business operations for the Knicks, the Women’s NBA’s New York Liberty and the National Hockey League’s New York Rangers.

Mills departed to serve as chief executive of an investment management group.

“I want to thank Jim for this opportunity to return to the Knicks in this important position,” Mills said. “It is an honor and a privilege to work for such a storied franchise and I look forward to doing whatever it takes to make the Knicks a successful franchise.”

The Knicks have reached the NBA playoffs in each of the past three seasons after a six-year playoff drought. Last season the Knicks won the Atlantic division but lost to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semi-finals.